On the Bluff this afternoon: new landscaping on the west and north sides of Merlo field. The pitch looks beautiful. Ticket sales for the North Carolina game have been high the last few days. Made me happy just to be there!

purple passion wrote:I posted on here yesterday about the national preseason poll, but it disappeared. It was here when I previewed...and again when I came back to this thread, but has been gone since.

keeper wrote:I like the uniforms and good to see Nike brought out something new for the GKs too. I especially like the light green target on the GK's jersey. Hopefully the opposing teamswill aim for that spot.

Early prediction. Ice cream sales through the roof and a lot of people standing behind the bleachers at halftime.

I like the new purple kits and the keeper kit. Nike seems to supply new keeper kits every year, in the style they're making for all "big" teams, like the USNT, Arsenal, Man Utd, Barca etc.

Woodless! wrote:Ok, I never post on women's soccer threads but I thought there might be a serious discussion of our chances against UNC here. I know next to nothing. Please enlighten me.

From OregonLive:

A critical women’s soccer season awaits the University of Portland, a program unaccustomed to a local challenge from other programs.

The Pilots remain the gold standard in Oregon women’s soccer, but they’re coming off their worst season since 1983. Even if Portland rebounds in 2012, there’s a threat looming in Corvallis from Oregon State, an NCAA playoff team the past three seasons.

UNC graduated 5 from last year's team. This year they have 9 freshman...it would have been 10, but Lindsey Horan decided to take a 6-figure payroll in Europe instead.

Two UNC players on the U20 women's cup team, Bryane Heaberlin (GK) and Crystal Dunn (F), are scheduled to play in Japan against Ghana at 4pm on August 20, so their presence may not occur on the bluff. Of the remaining players, seven are seniors, six are juniors, and eight are sophs...with one additional player (Marina Nesic) listed as a Gr...which is graduate or Greek...or great caesar's ghost...or something.

purple passion wrote:UNC graduated 5 from last year's team. This year they have 9 freshman...it would have been 10, but Lindsey Horan decided to take a 6-figure payroll in Europe instead.

Two UNC players on the U20 women's cup team, Bryane Heaberlin (GK) and Crystal Dunn (F), are scheduled to play in Japan against Ghana at 4pm on August 20, so their presence may not occur on the bluff. Of the remaining players, seven are seniors, six are juniors, and eight are sophs...with one additional player (Marina Nesic) listed as a Gr...which is graduate or Greek...or great caesar's ghost...or something.

There is no way...at this time...to know who made the trip.

In addition, UNC 2011 starting forward Ohai is on the U20 Japan roster. Nevertheless, they still are a team full of talent. The question is whether the coaching is up to the talent level, at least according to a number of UNC fans.

I think this is going to be a really interesting game and am as excited to see it as any regular season game I can remember.